These Sticky Asian Pork Ribs are baked in the oven until the meat is tender, juicy, and nearly falling off the bone. Finished with a glossy sweet, spicy, and savory sauce, they come out caramelized, sticky, and packed with bold Asian-inspired flavor.

If you love the combination of sweet heat, smoky spices, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey, this oven baked ribs recipe is the one to save. The ribs cook low and slow under foil, which helps keep them moist and tender. Once they are fully cooked, the sauce is brushed over the top and broiled until it bubbles into a shiny, sticky glaze.
One of the best things about this Sticky Asian Pork Ribs recipe is how easy it is. There is very little hands-on work, and the oven does most of the heavy lifting. It is a great recipe for a relaxed family dinner, game day spread, weekend gathering, or any time you want impressive ribs without standing over a grill for hours.
- Pat the ribs with a smoky brown sugar rub.
- Cover the pan tightly with foil.
- Bake low and slow until the meat is tender.
- Brush with Sticky Asian Sauce and broil until caramelized.
This is a simple, reliable, and flavor-packed rib recipe that delivers tender oven baked pork ribs every time.

These ribs are hearty enough to serve as a main course, but they also work beautifully as an appetizer. Cut them into individual ribs and arrange them on a platter with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a party-friendly dish. They are delicious hot from the oven, warm from a slow cooker, or even served at room temperature.

How to Make Baked Sticky Asian Pork Ribs
Start with a meaty slab of baby back ribs or pork spare ribs. Baby back ribs are usually a little smaller and leaner, while spare ribs tend to be larger and meatier. Either option works well for this recipe as long as the ribs are cooked until tender before the sticky sauce is added.
Should I Remove the Membrane from the Back of the Ribs?
The thin white membrane on the back of the ribs can be handled in two ways. Some cooks prefer to remove it completely because it can be chewy and may prevent the ribs from feeling truly tender. Others leave it on because it may help hold moisture in while the ribs bake.
A good middle-ground method is to score the membrane with a sharp knife in a crosshatch pattern. This breaks up the connective tissue without fully removing it, allowing the ribs to stay juicy while still becoming tender. If you prefer to remove the membrane completely, that works too.
Tip: If you remove the membrane, use a paper towel or thin cloth to grip it. The membrane can be slippery, and the towel makes it much easier to pull away from the bones.

After preparing the ribs, coat both sides with the brown sugar rib rub. The rub adds smoky, sweet, and lightly spicy flavor while helping create a flavorful crust. Place the ribs meat side up on a lined or greased baking sheet, then cover tightly with foil.
Bake the covered ribs at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the meat is fork tender and begins to pull away from the bone. Larger or thicker racks may need a little extra time, so use tenderness as your guide.

While the ribs are baking, prepare the Sticky Asian Sauce. Combine the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan, bring them to a low boil, and simmer for 5 minutes. As the sauce cools, it will thicken slightly and become perfect for brushing over the ribs.
When the ribs are tender, remove the foil and turn the oven broiler to high. Brush the ribs generously with sauce, then broil for a few minutes until the sauce begins to caramelize. Add another layer of sauce and broil again until the ribs are glossy, sticky, and lightly crisp around the edges.
Can I Finish My Ribs on the Barbecue Grill?
Yes. If you want extra smoky flavor, you can finish the ribs on a hot barbecue grill instead of under the broiler. Preheat the grill to high heat, place the ribs slightly away from direct flames, and brush with sauce. Grill just long enough for the sauce to caramelize, adding at least two coats for the best sticky finish.
Can I Cook the Ribs Fully on the Grill Instead of in the Oven?
Yes. Cook the ribs indirectly on the grill at about 250 degrees Fahrenheit until they reach your preferred level of tenderness. During the last 15 to 30 minutes of grilling, brush the ribs several times with the Sticky Asian Sauce and continue cooking until the glaze becomes caramelized and sticky. The sauce can also be prepared on the grill in a stainless steel or cast iron saucepan.

Once cooked, let the ribs rest briefly before slicing them into portions. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, then serve with any extra sauce on the side. These sticky Asian ribs pair well with rice, stir-fried vegetables, slaw, or simple roasted vegetables.
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Sticky Asian Ribs
Ingredients
- 2.25 pounds baby back ribs or pork spare ribs
Brown Sugar Rib Rub
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
Sticky Asian Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
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On the back of the rack of ribs, score the white membrane in a one-inch diagonal pattern with a sharp knife, or remove the membrane completely.
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Stir the brown sugar rib rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Pat the mixture evenly over both sides of the ribs.
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Place the ribs meat side up on a greased baking sheet or a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment. Cover tightly with foil.
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Bake the covered ribs for 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the meat is tender and pulls away from the bone. Cook for an additional 30 minutes if needed.
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Add the Sticky Asian Sauce ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a low boil, simmer for 5 minutes, then let the sauce cool so it can thicken.
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When the ribs are tender, remove the foil and turn the oven to broil.
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Brush the ribs with Sticky Asian Sauce. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, brush with more sauce, and broil again until the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
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Garnish with any remaining sauce, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
Finishing on the Grill
To finish the ribs on a barbecue grill, preheat the grill to high heat. Place the ribs slightly away from direct heat so the bottoms do not burn. Brush with sauce at least twice and cook until the glaze caramelizes.
Cooking Fully on the Grill
To cook the ribs completely on the grill, use indirect heat at about 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 3 hours, or until the ribs reach your preferred tenderness. Brush with sauce several times during the final 20 to 30 minutes until sticky and caramelized.